We’re heading into the final stretch of the fantasy regular season. Where do you stand? Ouch, those crickets I hear can’t be a good sign. I may have just finished my first fantasy football draft of the year just yesterday, but I am still fully focused on baseball. I am just on the cusp of the playoffs in one league and I am going to need some lady luck to make it in.

Injuries

Stephen Strasburg (SP), Washington Nationals

The prodigal son is down. Strasburg, the biggest draw in Washington, is going to have to undergo Tommy John surgery and is out for the rest of 2010 and probably all of 2011.

Mike Leake (SP), Cincinnati Reds

The rookie was enjoying a nice season until his last start where he allowed 6 ER in just 0.1 IP. He was diagnosed with shoulder fatigue and put on the DL. The Reds expect him back before the end of the season.

J.J. Putz (RP), Chicago White Sox

From April ’til the start of August, Putz had allowed just 8 ER all season. He has allowed 6 ER in August alone. Something had to be amiss and as it turns out, Putz was hiding a knee injury and it has landed him on the DL.

Catcher

Rod Barajas, L.A. Dodgers

What a debut with his new team! Barajas was acquired last week after the Dodgers learned Russell Martin was done for the year. In his first four games with the team, Barajas cranked out 2 HR and and 5 RBI on 6/13 hitting.

Others

John Jaso (TB): 7/17, 2 R, 1 HR, 5 RBI

Ryan Doumit (PIT): 7/17, 3 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Gerald Laird (DET): 4/14, 1 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI

First Base

Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies

He still has some miles left on him. Helton is enjoying a great August with a line of .309, 4 HR, and 10 RBI. His current clip of 10/24, 5 R, 2 HR, and 5 RBI point to Helton being an underrated source of offense in the final weeks.

Others

Michael Morse (WAS): 9/19, 6 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI

Daric Barton (OAK): 6/21, 7 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI

Logan Morrison (FLA): 8/25, 9 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Second Base

Ryan Raburn, Detroit Tigers

Raburn is as hot as they come right now. In the past week, he has gone 12/29 with 9 R, 3 HR, and 9 RBI. He has hit 8 home runs and driven in 21 RBI in August.

Others

Freddy Sanchez (SF): 15/24, 6 R, 1 HR, 6 RBI

Neil Walker (PIT): 9/26, 3 R, 2 HR, 9 RBI

Gordon Beckham (CWS): 6/19, 4 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI

Third Base

Kevin Kouzmanoff, Oakland A’s

Kouzmanoff hasn’t been exciting to watch this year, but we can take comfort in knowing that he has warmed up recently with a 9/20 week to go with 2 HR, 8 RBI, and a stolen base.

Others

Jhonny Peralta (DET): 9/21, 6 R, 1 HR, 7 RBI

Casey Blake (LAD): 7/21, 3 R, 2 HR, 7 RBI

Eduardo Nunez (NYM): 6/19, 2 R, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB

Shortstop

Stephen Drew, Arizona Diamondbacks

What has gotten into Drew? He was important to the fantasy world two seasons ago, but he has since floundered terribly. If last week’s 14/28, 10 R, 4 HR, 9 RBI explosion is an indicator of a resurgence, then sign me up. By the way: 8 HR and 19 RBI in August.

Others

Jason Donald (CLE): 8/18, 5 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Juan Uribe (SF): 6/25, 4 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI

Ryan Theriot (LAD): 10/26, 5 R, 3 RBI

Outfield

Marcus Thames, New York Yankees

Brought into the Bronx to face lefties, Thames had the best power week out of any player as he launched an obscene 5 HR as part of his 8/17 week that included 6 R and 8 RBI.

Others

Jose Tabata (PIT): 11/25, 4 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 SB

Rajai Davis (OAK): 8/19, 5 R, 3 SB

Jay Bruce (CIN): 7/17, 4 R, 4 HR, 6 RBI

Pitchers

Brandon Lyon, Houston Astros

Lyon has converted seven straight save opportunities in which time he has not allowed a run in his last 10 innings.